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Eurescom supports Accelerating 5G/6G NTN Innovation

 

Adam Kapovits
Eurescom

Eurescom contributes to ESA workshop regarding the convergence of 5G communication and Earth Observation

The 5th ESA Workshop on Advanced Flexible Telecom Payloads was held at ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in the UK, between the 18 and 20 March 2025. Over 100 experts from across Europe participated at the workshop. Adam Kapovits from Eurescom has contributed to the workshop session on Flexible Payloads for 5G/6G NTNs with the results from the ESA project 5GEOSiS – 5G Earth Observation Server in Space, a 5G repurposable payload as a service, and received very positive feedbacks from the audience.

ESA NICT workshop held in Tokyo at the NICT Innovation Center on 31st March 2025

The European Space Agency and the National Institute of Information And Communications Technology Japan first signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) in 2018 regarding joint efforts and cooperation in the field of 5G satellite communications.

Subsequently, the two sides supported their own industries launching investigations as technology path finders for global satellite communication networks convergence, integration into 5G and to validate use cases of common interest, such as natural disaster prevention and mitigation, global maritime transportation, and Internet of Things (IoT) to cover oceans and airspaces.

These activities were performed on the European side as part of the ESA SATis5 project (funded within ESA’s Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity portfolio) under the leadership of Eurescom GmbH and with the assistance of Fraunhofer FOKUS as technical manager, and together with the Japanese industrial team under the leadership of Japan Radio Co., Ltd, and with SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and the University of Tokyo as partners.

On 31stMarch 2025 a half a day workshop was held between the European and Japanese teams when the experts from the two sides and from the funding agencies (ESA and NICT, respectively) met to discuss the key results of the trials that resulted from the collaboration, the lessons learnt and technical areas of interest for continuing the collaboration.

The collaboration was organised in phases. In the first phase industry partners worked on the interconnection of local 5G systems via satellite, as well as the management of long-distance networks between Europe and Japan.The teams achieved a network quality evaluation of satellite and 5G connection, working to understand the feasibility of satellite 5G networks via international long-distance communications, as well as the successful transmission of 4K Video and IoT Data.

In a second phase multi-orbit (geostationary (GEO) / low Earth orbit (LEO)) 5G transport solutions were investigated and validated, and the multi-5G-Core enhancements that are necessary and typical in international communications. These topics were introduced and are now being discussed in 3GPP Rel 19/20.

In this phase, the European team concentrated on links performance monitoring; dynamic path selection between GEO-LEO-Terrestrial networks; and data path management. Meanwhile, the Japanese team concentrated on network slicing, Quality of Service, active bandwidth control and application detection in switching GEO-LEO-Terrestrial link scenarios.

Technical achievements from European partners included experimenting and validating services in Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) fire-fighting scenarios with 5G temporary local networks interconnected via satellite, including User Equipped UAVs for video monitoring. Experimentation taking place in Berlin, Brandenburg area in Germany.

Additionally, the Japanese team showcased their experimentation and validation of PPDR use cases utilizing Non-Public 5G networks over satellite, such as 4K video footage viewed through Virtual Reality lenses, remote control of field-deployed robot via video transmission, and various applications for remote areas.

Overall, the European and Japanese Phase 2 trials confirmed the feasibility of real-time switching of multi-orbit satellite links, and the associated network components and applications sessions. Additionally, the Over the Air validation trials demonstrated the feasibility of seamless path switching.

Looking forward, both the European and Japanese side investigates how the collaboration could be continued and extended towards Beyond 5G and 6G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).

Further information

  • “Advanced Flexible Telecom Payloads Event” – Nikal Events. Available at: https://nikal.eventsair.com/advanced-flexible-telecom-payloads/
  • “5GEOSIS – 5G Earth Observation Server in Space” – ESA Connectivity. Available at: https://connectivity.esa.int/projects/5geosis-%E2%80%93-5g-earth-observation-server-space


ESA NICT workshop participants form the European and Japanese partners at the NICT Innovation Center in Tokyo, on 31st March

From left to right:  Yuma Abe, NICT, Natsuko Ouchi, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Nobuyuki Setoguchi, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Sachie Tsubokura, Japan Radio Co., Ltd, Atsumu Mishima, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Marius Iulian Corici, Fraunhofer FOKUS, Shinichi Mizuno, Japan Radio Co., Ltd, Bjoern Riemer, Fraunhofer FOKUS, Adam Kapovits, Eurescom GmBH, Maria Guta, ESA, Prof Akihiro Nakao, The University of Tokyo, Kenji Kanai, The University of Tokyo, Amane Miura, NICT, Katsuyoshi Ishida, Japan Radio Co., Ltd, Kiyomi Yoshida, Japan Radio Co., Ltd, Keita Kaida, The University of Tokyo, Mayuko Tsuji, Japan Radio Co., Ltd, Yoji Oshima, The University of Tokyo.

ESA 5G/6G NTN Innovation

The Eureka CELTIC – ESA Space-ICT Programme

Enabling the faster convergence and development of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks & services

On 22 November 2021, Eureka Cluster CELTIC-NEXT and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) in Porto, Portugal, which aims to bring their respective communities closer together. The MoI will help to foster economic growth and jobs through coordinated R&D&I activities and the commercial exploitation of integrated space and terrestrial systems enabled by 5G and 6G. The collaboration aims to leverage the complementarity of ESA and CELTIC-NEXT and build on synergies to maximise the return on investment and to support achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In today’s rapidly changing political and economic environment and its regional battlefields, Space ICT has become, more than ever, a pillar for sovereignty and resiliency.

Space ICT is currently at the centre of attention for global industry and governments. On the economic side, new non-European entrants are currently disrupting the sector with Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites and High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS). On the political side, satellites, with all their potential missions and services, have shown to be essential assets for countries, not only for media broadcasting and observation, but also for connectivity to individuals and objects.

European industry and countries must defend their economic and political shares in Space ICT. European industry must be able to support European countries’ ICT & data sovereignty. Sovereignty cannot be achieved by purchasing and deploying equipment and services from foreign vendors that could fall under or are already under control of non-trustable governments.

Recent events in Eastern Europe have shown, how critical it is to count on both terrestrial and non-terrestrial ICT services, as together they constitute one of the critical infrastructures of a country, especially considering the digitalisation of the society and the vertical industries.

Therefore, it is mandatory to increase and leverage to its maximum the European and allied countries’ funding to reach the critical mass for R&D&I and a faster time-to-market for the European countries and allies’ ICT industry.


Eureka Chairman Miguel Bello Mora, Elodie Viau – Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications and Head of ECSAT at the European Space Agency (ESA), and CELTIC Office Director Xavier Priem

The central role of space and satellites

Space, satellites and alike play an extended and increasingly critical role in 5G, 6G and overall ICT services enabling the digital society.

Space and satellites had already an important role in the global ICT world for the economy, industry, and the people. They have already provided media broadcasting (TV), geo-positioning (GPS, GONASS, etc.), data links (backhauling and access), and telephony (satellite phones). For data links and telephony, they were mainly meant to provide those services in areas not well or at all covered by terrestrial networks, and recently also where high-data capacity was not needed. LEO fleets have somehow changed this perception by providing high-peak capacity over the coverage of one LEO satellite, with the foreseeable de-facto limitation of the maximum number of simultaneously attached users, as those share the same total LEO satellite bandwidth.

Since 5G and reinforced with 5G-Advanced, and the planned 6G, more industry verticals are getting digitalised, automated and autonomised, wireless connected instead of wired connected, or simply “connected”. People will expect that services delivered by those vertical industry sectors will be ubiquitous, always on and resilient. A good example is Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV), being cars, trucks, terrestrial drones but also flying objects like future flying taxis, delivery drones, and more. 3GPP has now opened wider doors for the inclusion of SatCom besides the traditional backhauling role.

Space ICT remains a complex field with specifics in terms of operational conditions for R&D&I as well as field deployment.

Entry barriers to the Space ICT sector

Several factors create an often too high barrier to entry for new or small players originating from the terrestrial ICT sector to move their technologies and products to the space or third dimension:

› The specific space environment for radiations, dimensions and weight, power supply limitations (level and duration) implying very costly special hardware platforms, if they even exist
› The satellites‘ launch costs
› The inherent inaccessibility after launch in case of outages or upgrades poses challenges not existing for terrestrial network players
› And, moreover, the space and satellite technologies (platform, payload, antennas…) knowledge itself

For the existing actors from the space sector, they seek for more competencies in 3GPP technologies and closer integration with terrestrial actors.

What CELTIC-NEXT and ESA bring to the collaboration

ESA TIA ARTES and CELTIC-NEXT provide various funding instruments: Open Calls, ITT, PPP for ESA, and bottom-up, flagship and joint ECP calls for CELTIC-NEXT. By exposing those instruments to each other’s community and together, both organisations will provide a privileged forum for cross-fertilisation and collaboration of both communities, leveraging the different TRLs, funding schemes and public funding agencies across the large sum of their respective geographical coverages: the Eureka countries for CELTIC and the ESA countries, some being common and some being different. Some stakeholders are common to ESA and CELTIC-NEXT, but most are new to the other. Both organisations see high complementarity in joining forces to leverage the association of their respective assets, forces, and communities.

As Elodie Viau said at the MoI Signature ceremony in Porto: “ESA`s strategic programme line Space for 5G & 6G demonstrates the essential nature of satellites for 5G and 6G. It sets the standards and frameworks for systems and services interoperability, as well as the base for integrating terrestrial networks with satellites. We draw technology and product roadmaps; we support and foster the development of integrated satellite terrestrial systems and value-added services.”

What this collaboration will enable and what it will target

This MoI and the attached collaboration will enable the faster convergence and development of terrestrial and non-terrestrial network and service technologies in the innovative field of Space ICT, i.e., three-dimensional networking.

The MoI will focus on technology pathfinders and solutions to develop and validate research & development projects initiated by ESA and CELTIC-NEXT. In addition, the MoI includes the organisation of joint events as well as the dissemination of relevant information to terrestrial, non-terrestrial, and combined operators and vertical market stakeholders.

More specifically, the MoI will encourage terrestrial ICT and Space ICT industry collaboration with other industry verticals to facilitate the adoption of advanced Space ICT technologies in the business models and processes of all industry sectors. The focus of the cooperation is to consider the issues in a holistic way by considering the end-to-end perspective of new communications services enabled by 5G and 6G technologies, including an understanding of the economic, environmental, and societal benefits.

How it will be implemented

In a first phase, each organization will run its own funding instruments, with its own processes. This cooperation does not replace their respective funding programmes and instruments, but leverages them for identified synergies in terms of topics of interest or strategic goals for their communities.

Coordination on specific themes will be put in place. These themes, include, but are not limited to:

› Multi-layered Space ICT and Flying Objects Convergence
› Design and development of systems, subsystems and technology
› Networks and services conformance and interoperability tests
› Viable business ecosystem models
› Convergence and integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks
› Frequency spectrum sharing between satellite networks and other satellite/terrestrial networks
› Network timing and synchronisation technologies
› Edge cloud computing
› Data driven (AI enabled) management
› Data curation technologies
› Digital twins

To support the achievement of their common objectives, the two organisations intend to:

› Share knowledge, ideas and lessons learned
› Create awareness and promote opportunities for collaboration
› Utilise and leverage their relevant resources and expertise necessary to ensure the success of the common objectives, in support of the activities initiated in the context of this cooperation
› Plan and manage jointly relevant activities in areas of common interest in line with the signatories’ respective legal frameworks
› Collaborate on the organisation and execution of activities with a view to reaching the common objectives identified
› Regularly attend meetings concerning the effectiveness of the collaboration, with reference to the priorities agreed
› Participate in suitable events organized by the other signatory
› Undertake joint communication, as appropriate, addressing the cooperation domains

Joint actions will be developed such as:

› Roadmapping
› Joint cross-community technology and strategy advisory boards
› Exchange on call dates and processes to anticipate best conditions for calls and participants
› Knowledge network creation and animation
› Joint working groups on specific topics across funded projects
› Joint webinars and workshops
› Promotion and provision of testbeds and trials platforms (R&D, integration, launch)
› Mutual advertisement of calls and bringing communities to jointly apply

The strategic technology calls and actions roadmaps are currently under development. CELTIC-NEXT is happy to receive your input and feedback to enrich its contribution to the joint work.


The new Space-ICT Programme – Targeting the global 3D Internet

Outlook

This MoI is the first of a series of new collaborations for CELTIC-NEXT. This fulfils the objectives set by CELTIC-NEXT’s Core Group to develop CELTIC-NEXT’s support to and impact for the ICT community by enriching its DNA with new verticals and communities. The space community is also eager to collaborate more with the terrestrial ICT community. This collaboration offers the perfect playground for both communities to meet and work together on strategic topics and projects. CELTIC-NEXT welcomes greatly the space community’s contribution to this strategic programme in terms of inputs to the roadmaps, participation to joint events and meetings, and proposals in the coming Space-ICT and 3D-NET focused calls to be announced soon.

CELTIC ESA Space-ICT Programme

Ongoing CELTIC-NEXT signed collaborations

Memorandum of Intent signed with ESA to enable faster convergence and development between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks & services

                             

On November 22, 2021, Eureka Cluster CELTIC-NEXT and the European Space Agency (ESA) formalized a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) in Porto, Portugal. This collaboration aims to strengthen ties between their respective communities and drive economic growth and job creation by coordinating research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) activities in integrated space and terrestrial systems enabled by 5G and 6G technologies.

This MoI emphasizes leveraging the synergies between ESA and CELTIC-NEXT to maximize investment returns and contribute towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In today’s dynamic political and economic environment, Space ICT has emerged as a critical pillar for sovereignty and resilience. The growing importance of Space ICT is evident as it becomes central to global industry and government agendas. From an economic standpoint, new non-European players are disrupting the sector with innovations like Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites and High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS).

The collaboration between CELTIC-NEXT and ESA aims to address these challenges by fostering cross-fertilization and collaboration between their communities. This partnership will facilitate the convergence and development of terrestrial and non-terrestrial network and service technologies, including three-dimensional networking.


Signing the Memorandum of Intent (from left): Eureka Chairman Miguel Bello Mora,
Elodie Viau – Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications and Head of ECSAT
at the European Space Agency (ESA), and CELTIC Office Director Xavier Priem.

To implement this collaboration, both organizations will leverage their respective funding instruments, processes, and expertise while coordinating on specific themes such as network convergence, system development, business ecosystem models, and spectrum sharing. Joint activities will include roadmapping, advisory boards, knowledge networks, webinars, workshops, and testbeds/trial platforms to support common objectives and priorities.

Further collaboration to expect

This MoI marks the beginning of a series of strategic collaborations for CELTIC-NEXT, enriching its support and impact within the ICT community. The collaboration offers an ideal platform for the space and terrestrial ICT communities to collaborate on strategic initiatives and projects. CELTIC-NEXT looks forward to the space community’s contributions and engagement in upcoming joint initiatives focused on Space ICT and three-dimensional networking.

Memorandum of Understanding signed with the 6G-IA to establish ­synergies and complementary activities in collaborative ICT research

                                                

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on ICT research between Eureka Cluster CELTIC-NEXT and the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) is now signed for a year now. As its aim is to enhance economic growth and job creation through joint R&D&I activities and the commercialization of outcomes, this collaboration leverages the strengths of both organizations to maximize investment returns and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In the context of today’s rapidly evolving social, political, and economic landscape, information and communication technology (ICT) plays a crucial role in ensuring national sovereignty and resilience. Recent global events such as the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the critical importance of both terrestrial and non-terrestrial ICT services as essential components of a country’s infrastructure. To address these challenges, there is a pressing need to increase and optimize funding for R&D&I initiatives in European, with the goal of accelerating innovation and enhancing the competitiveness of the ICT industry.

This collaboration is for now facilitating cross-program discussions and soon workshops and joint projects will be organised to aim at advancing technology readiness and addressing key societal challenges outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. It encourages cross-program discussions, workshops, and collaborative projects to advance technology readiness and achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Consultations on Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas (SRIAs), organize joint activities, and leverage resources to achieve common objectives are in discussion. Regular reviews will ensure effective collaboration and alignment with each community priorities.

Opportunities for the future

This MoU represents a new collaboration for CELTIC-NEXT and expands its impact within the ICT community. It provides a platform for the 6G-IA and CELTIC-NEXT communities to collaborate on strategic topics and projects.

To operationalize the MoU, the signatories have committed to several actions, including promoting collaboration within their respective communities, consulting on Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas (SRIAs), organizing joint activities, and leveraging their combined resources and expertise.

Outlook

These two memorandums signed with two different big organisation in their domains are a significant milestone for CELTIC-NEXT, representing a strategic expansion of its impact within the ICT community. By fostering closer ties and cooperation, they provide valuable platforms for both communities to collaborate on critical strategic initiatives and projects that will shape the future of ICT.

They will also allow knowledge exchange and SRIA’s cross collaborations in the years to come, will help levering funding schemes across low TRL topics, support an easier pipelining for proposals and offer innovative entities the full panel between top-down programs and bottom-up spaces for their collaborative projects.

Eureka CELTIC ESA

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